EMBERIZA CIA 239 



This Bunting, far from being a denizen of the plain, as its English 

 name would imply, is essentially a mountain or hill-frequenting 

 species. It seems to be by no means common in Tunisia, and I have 

 but few examples of it from the Eegency. It occurs there in winter 

 as a migrant, but may possibly nest on some of the higher mountains, 

 although I have no knowledge of its doing so. Baron v. Erlanger met 

 with the species on the Djebel Tfel near Gafsa at the beginning of 

 March, when it was doubtless on passage. 



In Algeria this Bunting occurs more or less sparingly, as it does in 

 Tunisia. From Marocco I have examples of it obtained in the Atlas 

 districts towards the end of May, when presumably the birds were 

 nesting. The species ranges high in the Maroccan Atlas, being met 

 with at elevations over .5,000 feet above sea-level. In Sicily I have 

 also found this Bunting breeding at considerable altitudes, and there 

 can be no doubt that it is a mountain-loving species, though, when 

 actually on passage, it is naturally often to be met with in com- 

 paratively low-lying situations. In Piedmont I have frequently found 

 it, when on migration in October and November, roaming about the 

 lower spurs of the Grajan Alps. 



In its habits E. cia appears to be somewhat unsociable, and may 

 often be found singly, but when migrating it is generally seen in small 

 flocks, and is then more shy and wary than it is at other times. It is, 

 as a rule, rather a quiet, unobstrusive bird, and its tameness has 

 probably gained for it its French vernacular name of le Bniaiit foil, 

 which, although perhaps not altogether merited, is certainly more 

 appropriate than our English name of Meadoiu-Bimting . It is fond of 

 frequenting broken hilly country, where bushes and trees are abundant, 

 and when suddenly surprised on the ground will fly up into the nearest 

 tree and remain perched there till the intruder has passed by. Like 

 other Buntings, it feeds on the seeds of various wild plants, as well as 

 on insects and their larvaj. Its call note and song are said to be very 

 similar to those of the Yellow Bunting. 



Nests of the species found in Europe are generally placed in bushes, 

 or among the rocks on a hill-side, and in their construction resemble 

 those of some other Buntings. The eggs, four or five in number, 

 are dull white or grey, vermiculated at the larger end with fine dark 

 brown or blackish lines. Average measurements 20 X 15 mm. 



